§ 13. Sir ARTHUR FELLasked the First Commissioner of Works the purpose of the excavations going on and of the bricks collected in the garden in St. James's Square; what is the nature and height of the structure presumably to be erected there; and what is its object and when is the structure to be completed?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir Alfred Mond)The building referred to by the hon. Member is not being erected by my Department, nor have I any information on the subject beyond the fact that I understand it is being erected by the United States Young Men's Christian Association.
§ Sir A. FELLDo we understand that it has nothing to do with the Commissioners of Works? Is it the War Office?
§ Sir A. MONDAs far as I know, it is being erected by the United States Young Men's Christian Association.
§ Sir A. FELLAre there not large mansions in St. James's Square and in the neighbourhood which are unoccupied and which might have been used instead of this building?
§ Sir A. MONDAs I have told the hon. Member, I know nothing at all about it. It has nothing to do with my Department.
§ General Sir IVOR PHILIPPSHave they not to get sanction for building from some Department of the Government?
§ Sir A. MONDI have no doubt they have to get sanction from some Department—I do not quite know which.
§ General Sir I. PHILIPPSIs it not His Majesty's Commissioners of Works?
§ Sir A. MONDNo; not at all.